Don't Dry Your Eyes

Set your sights on healthy fats that can help protect your eyes.

Getting adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet may help ward off irritating dry eye syndrome, a condition that causes decreased tear production and can damage eyes. Look to salmon, chunk light tuna, flaxseeds, and walnuts to boost your omega-3 intake and help keep your peepers in top form.

People produce fewer tears as they age, so increased age is a risk factor for dry eye syndrome. In addition to eye irritation, people with the condition also may be sensitive to bright lights. In a recent study of women aged 45 to 84 years old, researchers discovered that women whose intake of omega-6 fatty acids was much greater than their intake of omega-3 fatty acids were at an increased risk of suffering from dry eye syndrome. Omega-6s are polyunsaturated fatty acids found in meat, refined grains, and eggs. Reducing your intake of omega-6s while increasing consumption of omega-3-rich oily fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts could help you achieve a healthy fatty acid balance and may help reduce your risk of dry eye syndrome, depression, and other conditions.

Relation between dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and clinically diagnosed dry eye syndrome in women. Miljanovic, B., Trivedi, K. A., Dana, M. R., Gilbard, J. P., Buring, J. E., Schaumberg, D. A., The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2005 Oct;82(4):887-893.